International laws set a comprehensive framework for protecting species and ecosystems. In the 1970’s a targeted approach was taken, to address trade in species, migratory species, international wetlands and World Heritage Sites. In the 1990’s a more comprehensive approach was adopted through a framework convention on biodiversity. Yet biodiversity continues to decline. Why? As we confront interlinked biodiversity, climate and public health crises, we must explore transformational changes to our system, including changes in the law. Over the past year, two quite distinct and ambitious law reform initiatives have emerged: to add ecocide to the list of international crimes, and to create a new global agreement on wildlife crime.
